The second Star Trek film by Director JJ Abrams started production a few days ago. Paramount made the official announcement today and you can find their press release below.

The official release date has been confirmed as May 17, 2013. As we heard from JJ himself a few days ago your be able to watch it in 3D although this will be via the post production technique and not actually filmed that way.

The cast from the 2009 re-invisioned Star trek will all be returning (they where under contract!). As mentioned in our interview with Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch also a few days ago he will join them. Alice Eve and Peter Weller will also join the cast.

J.J. ABRAMS BEGINS PRODUCTION ON THE NEXT “STAR TREK” MOVIE

Paramount Pictures and Skydance Productions Will Release the Anticipated Sequel on May 17, 2013

LOS ANGELES, CA (January 13, 2012) – Paramount Pictures announced today that principal photography has commenced in Los Angeles, CA on the sequel to STAR TREK from director J.J. Abrams. The film will be released on May 17, 2013 in 3D. The 2009 re-launch of the “Star Trek” franchise by Abrams was met with critical acclaim and a worldwide gross of over $385 million at the box office.

Paramount Pictures and Skydance Productions present a Bad Robot Production of a J.J. Abrams Film. Returning to their posts on the Enterprise are John Cho, Bruce Greenwood, Simon Pegg, Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoë Saldana, Karl Urban, and Anton Yelchin. They are joined by new cast members Benedict Cumberbatch, Alice Eve and Peter Weller.

Based upon “Star Trek” created by Gene Roddenberry, the film is produced by J.J. Abrams, Bryan Burk, Damon Lindelof, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci. The script was written by Alex Kurtzman & Robert Orci & Damon Lindelof.

Jeffrey Chernov, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Paul Schwake are the executive producers. The director of photography is Dan Mindel, ASC, BSC. The production designer is Scott Chambliss. The film is edited by Maryann Brandon, A.C.E. and Mary Jo Markey, A.C.E. The costume designer is Michael Kaplan. The music is by Michael Giacchino.

ABOUT BAD ROBOT Bad Robot was formed by filmmaker J.J. Abrams in 2001. The company has produced television series such as ALIAS, LOST, FRINGE, and PERSON OF INTEREST, and feature films such as CLOVERFIELD, STAR TREK, SUPER 8 and MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE GHOST PROTOCOL. Bad Robot is based in Los Angeles.